A Longitudinal Investigation of Delinquency Among Abused and Behavior Problem Youth Following Participation in a Family Preservation Program

Abstract

Evaluations of family preservation services have seldom assessed delinquency among adolescents receiving services. In this longitudinal study we examine court convictions among 104 youth referred to family preservation for problem behavior or abuse. Youth and their families were followed for up to three years after termination of family preservation services. Survival rates showing length of time to first conviction and correlates of reoffending are identified in two groups identified by reason for referral. Thirty-two behavior problem and 15 abused youth were convicted of offenses during the follow-up period. In addition, youth referred for problem behavior were 60.04% more likely to offend than youth referred for the reason of abuse. They also committed more offenses during follow-up and committed offenses sooner than those referred for abuse. Eighty-one percent of behavior problem referrals offended within the first year after family preservation compared to 66% of abuse referrals. Bivariate and multivariate EHA models differed by group. Implications for practice and program development are discussed. Family preservation may be less effective with youth who experience multiple behavior problems. Future research on family preservation outcomes should consider the heterogeneity of the population served by family preservation programs and adjust the services accordingly. One size does not fit all.